Ecology
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Created by:
jolynnegerber on September 18, 2012
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Description:
Basic ecology information to study for test.
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45 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 Define Mutualism | Symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit +/+ |
| Define Commensalism | Symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits while the other neither benefits or harmed. +/0 |
| Define Parasitism | Symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other organisms is harmed +/- |
| Define Predation | The situation when the one organism (predator) capture and feeds upon another organism (prey) |
| Define Predator | Organism that hunts, kills, and eats all or part of another organism |
| Define Prey | An organism that is killed and eaten by another organism... |
| What would be the advantage of being less specialized? | ability to adapt to different conditions |
| Why would two different species occupy different habitat in the same area? | to reduce competition for resources |
| On an energy pryamid which level has the largest biomass? | Bottom of the pyramid |
| On an energy pryamid which level has the largest biomagnification? | Top of the pyramid |
| On an energy pryamid which level has the producers? | Bottom of the pyramid |
| On an energy pryamid which level has the largest amount of energy?? | Bottom of the pyramid |
| Define limiting factors | Factors that limit or control the growth of a population |
| List some limiting factors | water, space, mates, predators, disease, sunlight for plants |
| Define carrying capacity | Total number of a population that an area can sustain |
| Define biomagnification | As pollutants pass from one trophic level to the next they become increasingly more concentrated. |
| Why are bacteria essential to the nitrogen cycle? | 1. Nitrogen-fixer 2. Return nitrates to nitrogen gas |
| Define pollulant | A particular chemical that has adverse (harmful) affect on the health of an organism or the environment. Example: Mercury, pesticides |
| How are carbon dioxide and global warming connected | Increased levels of carbon dioxide trap atmospheric heat raising earth's temperature |
| Define Autotroph | Organisms that producer their own food. Producers |
| Define Heterotroph | Organisms that consume their food. Consumers |
| Why is nitrogen essential to living organisms? | Nitrogen is needed to build proteins and DNA |
| Define Niche | Functional role of an organism in a particular ecosystem |
| Define Habitat | The place where a a particular population of a species lives |
| What is the 10% rule? | Only 10% of available energy is passed from one trophic level to the next. |
| List 4 ways carbon dioxide is released into the environment. | 1. cellular respiration 2. combustion - burning fossil fuels 3. erosion 4. decomposition |
| Why are toxin found in the higher trophic levels? | Accumulation of toxins in the tissue |
| Starting with the indivdual organism list the levels of organization | organism --> population --> community --> ecosystem --> biosphere |
| Define Ecology | Study of the interactions of living organisms with one another and with their physical environment |
| Define Abiotic factors | Nonliving factors in an ecosystem like water, soil, temperature, weather |
| Define Biotic factors | Living factors in an ecosystems like plants, animals, bacteria, protista, fungi, courtship/mating, predation |
| Define Biodiversity | The variety of organisms present in a community. The more diverse the more stable the community. The tropical rainforest is very diverse. |
| Define Pioneer Species | The first organisms to live in a new habitat. Typically small fast-growing plants like lichen |
| Define Secondary succession | Succession where there has been previous growth (living organisms) |
| Define Primary succession | Succession that occurs whre life has NOT existed before. Example: recently exposed land after a glacier receeds. |
| Define Trophic level | energy level |
| Define Detritivores | Decomposers like worms, bacteria, and fungi. Breakdown the bodies and wastes of organisms and release the nutrients back into the environment |
| Define Energy pyramid | Illustration of the flow of energy from one trophic level to the next |
| Define Acid Rain | Acidified precipitation which lowers the pH (acidity) of lakes and streams killing organisms. |
| CDefine hlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) | Chemical found in coolants that breaks down the earth's natural ozone layer. Ozone filters out UV rays. |
| Plant adaptations of the TUNDRA | Plants are dark green Small quick growing NO large trees Some plants have hair or grow in clusters |
| Plant adaptations of the DESERT | Stores water Deep roots Thin needles to reduce water loss |
| Animal adaptations of the DESERT | Noctural Burrow Conserve water or drinks very little water Excretes solid uric acid Large ears |
| Animal adaptation of the TUNDRA | Layer of fat and hair Migratory birds Carnivous Small ear |
| Plant adaptation of the RAINFOREST | Drip dips Waxy leave to get rid of excess water Buttresses to support large trees 3-5 layer of plants called canopies |
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